McPherson QB has Coyotes' attention

“The thing about Crouch when you watch him on film is he’s fun and terrifying at the same time,” Drinkall said. “He’s terrifying because you know you’re going to have to play against him in a game at some point, but it’s really fun because of how dynamic he is as a football player.”

Drinkall and the No. 25 Coyotes will see Crouch and the Bulldogs up close in today’s Kansas Conference game at Graves Family Sports Complex. Kickoff for the homecoming contest is 6 p.m.

Wesleyan enters the game with a 3-2 overall record, 2-1 in the KCAC, while McPherson’s 2-2 and 1-2.

Crouch, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior from Miami Gardens, Fla., ranks fourth in total offense in the conference with 299 yards per game and is equally adept throwing or running. He has 893 yards passing and 302 yards rushing — a total that includes 103 rushing and 76 passing in McPherson’s 48-14 victory over Bethel last week.

Crouch had a huge game against Wesleyan a year ago, finishing with 160 yards rushing, 215 passing and four total touchdowns in a 49-25 loss in McPherson.

“He’s one of the fastest kids in the whole conference and he makes plays with his feet,” Drinkall said. “He’s got a canon for an arm and he can throw the ball all over the place.

“When he can extend plays it can turn into a scramble drill. There’s guys who win Heisman Trophies because they’re able to do those things.”

Drinkall said the strategy will be to try and contain him.

“The biggest mistake we could make is giving him all 53 yards of the width of the field to work with,” he said. “We’re going to do some things to bracket him in a 10-, 12-yard cylinder and go from there. We want to keep him caged up as much as possible, if you can do that.”

KWU senior linebacker Garrett Updegraft leads the KCAC in tackles at 11.4 per game and had 18 last Saturday against Southwestern.

The Wesleyan offense is led by senior quarterback Kelly Cordova, who’s second in total offense in the KCAC at 300 yards per game — 50.6 rushing and 249.4 passing. He was superb against Southwestern, completing 20 of 35 passes for three touchdowns, and rushing for 82 yards and a score.

McPherson's opponents are averaging 32.5 points, but the Bulldogs are allowing just 321 yards per game — tops in the KCAC.

“If you look at their points given up it’s kind of like our troubles,” Drinkall said, “it’s one play here, it’s one play there. They’ve given up some big plays, but it hasn’t been a consistent thing.

“The trouble they present is no matter what formation you get in, about a second and a half into the play there’s nine guys at the line of scrimmage. Their DBs are extremely aggressive getting down the box.

“So as an offense you have to use their aggressiveness against them. Let the play-action pass come into play and move the pocket some and things along those lines.”

Bethany (4-0, 3-0) at Saint Mary (1-4, 0-3)

The surprising Swedes will try to remain unbeaten their 1:30 p.m. game in Leavenworth.

Bethany leads the KCAC in scoring offense (39.5 points) and is second in total yards (429.8).

Running back Thomas Jafar has 412 yards rushing and Aaron Knox 33 — Jafar second in the KCAC with a 137.3 average per game. Quarterback Isaiah Salazarr has completed 56.7 percent of his passes for 899 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interception. Receivers Michael Wimberly, Michael Milbourne and Rodney Mollette have combined for 50 receptions for 742 yards and eight touchdowns.

Saint Mary counters with quarterback Drew Cortez, who leads the conference in passing at 308.8 yards per game. But the Spires are allowing 36.4 points and a KCAC-worst 440.6 yards per contest.